The Tudors & Stuarts Flashcards
When and how did Henry VII make sure England remained peaceful and his position as king secure?
After his victory in the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII deliberately strengthened the central administration of England and reduced the power if the nobles. He was thrifty and built up the monarchy’s financial reserves. His son Henry VIII continued the policy of centralising power.
When was Henry VIII king of England?
Henry VIII was king of England from 21 April 1509 until his death on 28 January 1547.
What was Henry VIII famous for?
Henry VIII was famous for breaking away from the Church of Rome and marrying six times.
Who were Henry VIII’s six wives?
- Catherine of Aragon: Spanish princess, a number of children but only Mary survived. Divorced.
- Anne Boleyn: English, one daughter Elizabeth, unpopular in the country and was accused of taking lovers. Executed at the Tower of London.
- Jane Seymour: son Edward, but died shortly after birth.
- Anne of Cleves: German princess, married for political reasons but divorced her soon after.
- Catherine Howard: cousin of Anne Boleyn, accused of taking lovers and executed.
- Catherine Parr: widow who married Henry late in his life - survived him and married again but died soon after.
Why did Henry break away from the Church of Rome?
To divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Henry needed approval of the Pope. When the Pope refused, Henry established the Church of England. In this new church, the king, not the pope, would have the power to appoint bishops and order how people should worship.
What was the Reformation that was happening across Europe?
At the same time as the establishment of the Church of England, the Reformation was happening across Europe. This was a movement against the authority of the Pope and the ideas and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestants formed their own churches. They read the Bible in their own languages instead of Latin; they did not pray to saints or at shrines; and they believed that a person’s own relationship with God was more important than submitting to the authority of the Church. Protestant ideas gradually gained strength in England, Wales and Scotland during the 16th century.
How was Protestantism received in Ireland?
In Ireland attempts by the English to impose Protestantism (alongside efforts to introduce the English system of laws about the inheritance if land) led to rebellion from the Irish chieftains.
How did Wales develop during Henry VIII’s reign?
During the reign of Henry VIII, Wales became formally united with England by the Act for the Government of Wales. The Welsh sent representatives to the House of Commons and the Welsh legal system was formed.
Who succeeded Henry VIII?
Henry VIII’s son Edward VI succeeded. He was strongly Protestant and during his reign, the Book of Common Prayer was written to be used in the Church of England. Edward died at age 15, after ruling for six years.
Who succeeded Edward VI?
Mary, Edward’s half sister, Catherine of Aragon’s daughter succeeded after Edward’s death. She was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants (she was known as Bloody Mary). Mary also died after a short reign.
Who succeeded Mary and how was her contribution important?
Elizabeth I, daughter of Anne Boleyn, Mary’s half-sister, succeeded after Mary’s death. Queen Elizabeth I was a Protestant. She re-established the Church of England as the official Church in England. Everyone had to attend their local church and there were laws about the type of religious services and prayers which could be said, but Elizabeth did not ask about people’s real beliefs. She succeeded in finding a balance between the views of Catholics and the more extreme Protestants and therefore avoided any serious religious conflict within England. Elizabeth became one of the most popular monarchs in English history, particularly after 1588, when the English defeated the Spanish Armada which had been sent by Spain to conquer England and rest tore Catholicism.
What was happening with religion in Scotland during Elizabeth I’s reign?
Scotland had been strongly influenced by Protestant ideas. In 1560 the predominantly Protestant Scottish Parliament abolished the authority of the Pope in Scotland and Roman Catholic religious services became illegal. A Protestant Church of Scotland with an elected leadership was established but, unlike in England, this was not a state Church.
Who ruled Scotland during Elizabeth I’s reign?
The queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart or Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic.
What are the details of Mary Stuart’s life?
Mary Stuart was Mary Queen of Scots and she was Catholic. She was only a week old when her father died and she became queen. Much of her childhood was spent in France. When she returned to Scotland, she was the centre of a power struggle between different groups. When her husband was murdered, Mary was suspected of involvement and fled to England. She gave her throne to her Protestant son, James VI of Scotland. Mary was Elizabeth I’s cousin and hoped that Elizabeth might help her, but Elizabeth suspected Mary of wanting to take over the English throne and kept her prisoner for 20 years. Mary was eventually executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I.
What was the role of exploration during the Elizabethan period?
The Elizabethan period in England was a time of growing patriotism. English explorers sought new trade routes and tried to expand British trade into the Spanish colonies in the Americas.
Who is Sir Francis Drake?
Sir Frances Drake, one of the commanders in the defeat of the Spanish Armada, was one of the founders of England’s naval tradition. His ship, the Golden Hind, was the first to circumnavigate the world.
When and where did English settlers begin to colonise during Elizabeth I’s reign?
In Elizabeth I’s time, English settlers first began to colonise the eastern coast of America. This colonisation, particularly by people who disagreed with the religious views of the next two kings, greatly increased in the 17th century.
Who is synonymous with Elizabethan poetry and drama?
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
What are the details about Shakespeare?
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He was a playwright and actor and wrote many poems and plays.
He also dramatised significant events from the past, but he did not focus solely on kings and queens - he was one of the first to portray ordinary Englishmen and women.
Shakespeare had a great influence on the English language and invented many words that are still common today.
Most famous plays:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Hamlet
- Romeo and Juliet
Quotes:
- Once more unto the breach (Henry V)
- To be or not to be (Hamlet)
- A rose by any other name (Romeo and Juliet)
- All the world’s a stage (As You Like It)
- The darling buds of May (Sonnet 18 - Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day)
Who succeeded Elizabeth I?
Elizabeth I never married and had no children of her own to inherit her throne. When she died in 1603, her heir was her cousin James VI of Scotland. He became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland but Scotland remained a separate country.
What was an important achievement of King James?
One achievement of King James’ reign was a new translation of the Bible into English. This translation is known as the ‘King James Version’ or the ‘Authorised Version’. It was not the first English Bible but is a version which continues to be used in many Protestant churches today.
Under whom and how did England establish authority over Ireland?
Ireland was a completely Catholic country. Henry VII and Henry VIII had extended English control outside the Pale and had established English authority over the whole country. Henry VIII took the title ‘King of Ireland’. English laws were introduced and local leaders were expected to follow the instructions of Lord Lieutenants in Dublin.
How and when did plantations in Ireland come to be?
During the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, many people in Ireland opposed to rule by the Protestant government in England. There were a number of rebellions. The English government encouraged Scottish and English Protestants to settle in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, taking over the land from Catholic landholders. These settlements were known as plantations. Many of the new settlers came from south-west Scotland and other land was given to companies based in London. James later organised similar plantations in several other parts of Ireland.
What was Elizabeth I known for during her reign?
Elizabeth I never married and thus had no heirs. She was also very skilled at managing Parliament. During her reign, she was successful in balancing her wishes and views against those of the House of Lords and those of the House of Commons, which was increasingly Protestant in its views. Elizabeth I was Protestant.
